[Elecraft] Using the K3 remote

[Rick Bates]

I'm cheap.  I don't throw things away until they are beyond any reasonable
use plus I like toys.  So here is how I run my K3 remotely:

I have an old laptop for the shack computer.  It runs HRD, has a four port
USB-Serial cable and wifi to the home LAN.  It takes only a little power,
doesn't cost much to run (but I'll have to upgrade it to Win7 soon).

Via HRD, I have full control of the K3 (the next version of HRD will even
improve this).  By using a SignaLink USB for radio audio, I don't ever worry
about OS noises being transmitted.  SLUSB=radio, OS=laptop speakers

I can run the basic K3 via HRD at home or while away (remote); even from
another computer in the house.  BO-ring since I have the KPA500 and KAT500
as well.  So;

I use TeamViewer (free) to remotely control my shack laptop from another
computer, laptop, iphone or ipad.  This allows me to also run the utility
programs for the KPA500/KAT500 so I can switch antennas, manage the amp
(on/off, watch temps, SWR etc) and check that the KAT500 tuning is valid
(remember the 4 port serial cable?).  The second K3 antenna port is ALWAYS
connected to a dummy load in case I goof; the KAT500 is my antenna switch.

I use Skype (two accounts) when running remotely and have set it to treat
the SLUSB as its main audio device EXCEPT for anything that shouldn't go
there (like ring tones, dialing noises etc.).  Just use it for the mike and
speaker, no OS.

Bonus: I use the web cam on Skype video so I can 'see' the P3 panadapter
display (or my weather station) remotely.  It's possible to make changes to
the P3 via macros but I don't bother.

You may wonder about shack access security; by using TeamViewer to access my
shack laptop (shack-top?) I can leave Skype NOT in autoanswer mode and
answer my own calls, remotely.  All other inbound calls are ignored (no
auto-answer).  TeamViewer and HRD are fairly secure and I've had no issues.

In the event that there is a power failure, someone has to have physical
access to the station to turn the K3 power back on.  I'm working on this
(use an alarm or tickle the ACC line for now).  That someone also makes a
pass through the house to water plants, grab the papers etc.

I don't do CW ragchew remotely as Internet latency can be an issue but since
most of my CW Q's are call:report TU:73 and those are recorded in memories,
there is no reason I can't DX on CW while away.  I've done digital modes
remotely but mostly I just use the remote ability to chat with the local
folks, while I'm away.  They can't tell if I'm local or gone unless there is
wimpy internet (or d-d-d-d-igital-l-l-l-l artifacts) at my remote location.
I don't use VOX when the internet bandwidth is thin.

So I can be having a lazy morning in bed, be on a beach, in a forest or a
desert watching the sun rise having my morning coffee while chatting with
the folks on the morning net(s) or 6M repeater via a Bluetooth headset to my
iPhone (even on 4G) or laptop (or use regular headsets into the remote
laptop).  

So far, I've operated remotely from Hawaii, Alaska, the Yukon, BC, most of
the Western States and all over CA.  Yah, the folks at home get jealous;
that's just icing on my travel cake.  ;o)

While there are other ways to go remote, most of this was 'free' (since I
owned it or it WAS free software) and it is pretty darned cool stuff;
sometimes being a nerd is pretty awesome.

Merry Christmas,
Rick wa6nhc



-----Original Message-----
From: David Pratt; W0WFH Bill

On 18 Dec 2013 06:40, W0WFH Bill <w0wfh at yahoo.com> wrote
>
> Please respond to me off forum.  w0wfh at yahoo.com 
>

Please reply on here;  I would be interested too.

73 de David G4DMP

David Pratt